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Congratulations Obama & Biden

Bookmark and Share            By Lou

What a privilege to witness our first black president! Congratulations to all who worked so hard on Obama’s campaign, and to the man himself, his family, and others close to him!

One has to wonder what the new administration will mean for recreation, especially backcountry skiing. Hard to call. No doubt they’ll be more supportive of environmental initiatives that could cut both ways in terms of preservation vs access. But first, they’ll probably have to address pesky annoyances such as war and economics (smile). Should be interesting as always.

Posted by Lou on November 5, 2008 | Filed Under Backcountry Skiing 

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Comments

11 Responses to “Congratulations Obama & Biden”

  1. Randonnee November 5th, 2008 11:00 am

    Wow, a surprise to see this political topic, Lou!

    We will hope and Pray for effective leadership and effective service to the people of the United States now that one Party has control. Such effectiveness would be Change, indeed, Since 1992 both parties have had complete control, and lost it, and neither has effectively advanced a clear agenda nor effectively served the people of the US.

    More importantly than the Presidency is the performance of Congress. The President is not nor has been King, he is part of our best-in-history elected Government. Therefore, Congress must effectively Legislate to serve the people. Best wishes, and at least over half of the folks here and 9/10 of Frenchmen are happy today : )}.

  2. Lou November 5th, 2008 11:14 am

    Rando, indeed, I try to keep politics here focused on issues directly related to backcountry skiing and access, but figured I should add my voice today to show my support of our country and government — in a non-partisan manner. Plenty of harsh political blogs out there, no intent to do that here.

  3. Hamish November 5th, 2008 12:16 pm

    Lou,
    Agreed, there are big fish to fry. I did some calling to get out the vote and someone asked me about the candidate’s positions on guns. I noted that the economy, the war, and healthcare seemed to be the biggest issues during the campaign, but everyone’s vote hinges on something personal. Politics is also everywhere (see Dave Zirin’s writings about politics and sports). Seeing you focus on recreation is something I look to Wildsnow for, so I am looking forward to you connecting politics with backcountry issues whenever you can inform, enlighten, inspire or even provoke ;-)

  4. Sam November 5th, 2008 7:20 pm

    Why does it matter that he’s the first black president? All that matters is how well he does as president.

  5. Sam November 5th, 2008 7:20 pm

    Great blog BTW.

  6. Colin November 5th, 2008 7:52 pm

    Lou,

    I think there’s a good chance that one of my professors (John Leshy) here at UC Hastings Law will be the Solicitor at Interior. He was for all eight years of the Clinton Administration. Super sharp guy, and also an avid paddler and hiker (although unfortunately not a BC skier AFAIK). I’ve seen RFK, Jr. and a Democratic Rep from WA mentioned as a potential SecInt picks. Should be interesting.

  7. ThomasB November 5th, 2008 8:03 pm

    Healthcare for ski bums will help push the boundaries of the sport, healthcare for ageing ski bums will help extend ski lives. Higher taxes on those earning more than $250k/year will force some of them to sell their empty second home ski chalets bringing prices down and allow more actual skiers to live in ski towns thus preserving the spirit of skiing. Increased research funding into alternative energy will allow Lou to have a powerful, quiet, non polluting snowmachine and thus not ruin it for those of us who dislike 2 or 4 strokes in the BC while still having his “access”. Diplomacy will replace military might so we may yet again travel to ski in far flung destinations without fear. A coherent fiscal policy with a stronger dollar will make Euro ski trips affordable again and of course reduced carbon emissions thru conservation, efficiency, research and reduced military activity ( US military is biggest burner of fossil fuels in nation…..think of the irony in terms of the middle east..) will help maintain more summer glacial skiing for generations to come.

  8. Lou November 5th, 2008 9:11 pm

    Sounds like something a person would dream up while skinning a peak, only to come back to reality when they enter a bar with a TV and bad margaritas. I like the part about ageing ski bums.

    Sam, it seems to me (though I don’t claim any corner on political wisdom) that it matters for lots of reasons that he’s our first black president, if for none other than if you’re sick of our country being called racist. But once he’s elected, yep, it’s how he does that counts, not the color of his skin. To think otherwise, we’ll, that would be…racist?

  9. Randonnee November 5th, 2008 9:40 pm

    Perhaps skin color is more important to the rest of the world than to my interest, but I am thrilled to see so many in this world suddenly express happiness and hope.

    In regard to access to Public Land, my hope is that an Obama Administration will result in clearly defined- hopefully Legislated- effective mission and purpose for Public Lands Management. Also, my hope its that clearly defined objectives are adequately funded. It is my hope but with doubt that the realization will be that Public Lands are for Public use! When there was logging, there also seemed to be actual multiple-use management. Tragically, of course, we (me) logged too much too fast. Logging on the USFS was then decimated, funding dried up and now we have other problems.

  10. Johann November 6th, 2008 10:07 am

    I am looking regulary on Lou’s wildsnow site, and I was woundering, if there comes a political topic after Obamas election. And here it is. This tells me, that ideed there is need for change. Hope that Obama can work and lead as well as he can speak. I suppose, he can. Great to see, how enthusiastic people get.
    Johann, Austria

  11. Lou November 6th, 2008 10:17 am

    Johann, I’ve covered plenty of politics on here, but almost always regarding specific issues regarding the backcountry. There will not be much change from that. But I felt it appropriate to deviate from our usual themes after the conclusion of our extra historic election.

    As for Obama, now the tire meets the road. I’ll be interested in seeing how he approaches the war on terror, for example, after he gets his first presidential intelligence breifing and sees what’s really going on out there. Some folks don’t really want to negotiate…

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Welcome to Louis (Lou) Dawson's backcountry skiing information and opinion website. Lou's passion for the past forty years has been alpinism, climbing, mountaineering and skiing -- along with all manner of outdoor recreation. He has authored numerous books and articles about backcountry skiing and is well known as the first person to ski down all 54 of Colorado's 14,000-foot peaks, otherwise known as the Fourteeners! Books and free back country information here, and tons of Randonnee rando telemark info.

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